DFEMS battled 65 fires in April

The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services reports that in April alone, they battled 65 fires.

It is no secret that there has been a sharp increase in the number of fires reported in the last few weeks. However, to give a clear picture, DFEMS reports that the department has responded to 65 brush fires in the last month.

The most recent fire was reported just last Monday, April 29, at Talafofo where DFEMS managed to contain a brush fire just before it reached a nearby home.

According to spokesperson and firefighter Rob Mojica—the firefighter who managed to fight off the Talafofo fire before it reached the home—DFEMs received the call regarding the Talafofo fire at around 11:33am last Monday morning.

Mojica explained that when he got to the scene where the fire was reported, he observed that the fire was pushing towards a nearby home so he immediately went over to check on the family.

Mojica said at the home, he warned the family of the spreading fire and was able to make it to the back of the property where he noticed that it had spread to the brushes just behind the home.

Fortunately, he managed to act quickly—noting that the fire engine was still enroute—fighting off the fire with a garden hose before it devastated the family’s home.

Mojica noted that the fire was contained at around 1pm.

Aside from the Talafofo Fire, the other notable fires fought this month were the Wireless Ridge, Tanapag, and San Roque mountainside fires that engulfed acres of land with some even burning for days.

Mojica advises community members who live in areas affected by burhs fires to try and keep vegetation around their homes to a minimum if possible.

“Clear away dead debris, piles of leaves, anything that can burn easily or help with the spread,” he said.

Recently, DFEMS issued a suspension of all burning permits and will not be issuing any for the meantime as the Marianas is experiencing extreme drought.